The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1887-04-30

and love Albert their priest. With the
young and the old, both, he was equally a
fayoTite; and the doors OF all flew wide at
his approach. He did not go about with a
long yisage and doleful voice; he taught
the holy word with cheerful utteranoe, and
all grew hopeful as they listened TO him.
Miss Isidora's brow still continued to
wear q cloud in his presence; and the moro
! popular the new chaplain became IN the
village, the more she appeared to dislike
! him.
Albert's health had not returned with Its
4 former strength, and as the winter was an
/ extremely severe one, his cough was some
/ times very violent. The doctor advised
/ him to be careful of himself, and recon-
mended him to have q fire IN his bed
/ chamber; but he paid very little attention
/ to that advice, feeling that he could not
/ humble himself TO ask for the comforts he
/ req uired at the hands of Miss Isidorn. He
suffered much, and he suffered silently.
/ Frlnzi and Albert, although dwelling be-
meath the same roof, seldom encountered
one another. When they did chance TO
meet. he would give her a kind word, which
she ever received with mute but grateful
| look.
! At length came Christmas Eve Albert
was In his own room, and the hour for the
midnight service was drawing near. He
walked to the window, and looked out of
/ it into the frosty night. The sky was bright
! with stars, and the earth was covered with
| deep snow
suddenly the sound OF hurried steps
woke him from his thoughts; then the
| door bell rang loudly; and, after q pause,
! still more loudly.
| The servants were all absent, gone TO
chapel; so Albert descended and opened
the door. where he found female domes-
tic belonging to Ngihs mother, who had
come to beg Alberts presence ut the black
smiths cottage The cross mother and the
rough son had been quarreling with one
another, and the young chaplain lever the
! peacemaker) was wanted to make smooth
the difficulties that had arisen between
/ them,
Albert attended the summons. When he
returned home, he found the door, which
he had left only on the latch, now fastened
against him. This circumstance informed
hum that there was some one IN the house.
he Knocked, and, presently, the portal WAS
Enclosed, and Albert and FranZi stood face
10 face. Both, for moment, remained
yolceess. The lamp which she was hold
! ing aloft showed to him her bright, nut
brown hair and her trusting eyes.
"Iou here" spoke Albert Il thought
You were gone TO chapel long ago"
And so | was, she answered, simply.
But the sick COW is suffering so that |
came home to give her warm drink. But
mean to go back again presently"
You are not looking SO we'll as formerly,
he observed. regarding her closely. You
are much thinner, | think"
She did not reply, but dropped her head
But now. come, and light my lamp, he
continued, with shiyer. How frightfully
cold do feel l tremble as If l had the
D I IN oil
he added, as he vent up stairs, Franzi fol-
/ lowing him.
AS he entered his room. a chilly gust met
him.
The girl lit the lamp, and put the green
shade over it. Then she paused, as if
awaiting further orders from him.
You look unhappy, Franz" he re-
marked. ~Wherefore?'
She hesitated few seconds before she
replied.
You forget, reverend sir, that l am u
neutrality-suspicious. living creature to care
for me. she said with profound sigh.
Without any one to care for you,
FranM." he repeated, somewhat reproach-
fully. That is not true. Have you not
me? l am your brother Franz; and l have
prom sed my father that ! viii treat you
ever as q sister, and endeavor to find out
your unnatural parents, if they be still
alive. Have you anything that would as
sist me in my design"
Nothing, reverend sir but ring, which
| have never shown to any one. But o-day
/ being holy festival, put it on"
"SLow ii me"
| She removed it from her finger, and pre-
scented it to him.
4 see nothing here but some half worn
out letters" he said, after examining it
close to the lamp. will look at il again by
daylight if you will trust me with 1t then.
Willingly willingly. reverend sir" she
eagerly returned.
~Thanks" returning the ring. Now We
are friends, Franz," he said, taking her
hand, and drawing her toward him, until
he felt her warm breath waiting over mis-
| cheek. But here awoke the good spirit
which lived in his heart, and he at once
dropped the hand he held, and drew back.
And love you, Franzi, as ] would Sis
ter, he added, unsteadiiy.
He uttered not word more. He felt
with pain that he did not love her as a
sister.
Shall I light you fire, sirf" she asked,
seeing h III shudder.
DO so, my little sister.
She then fastened away TO fetch some
wood for the stove.
Had Fmnzi understood his thoughts?"
he asked himself. oh, heaven forbidl7
Presently he heard the girl hurrying up
the airs, and at the same moment the
angry voice of the wears niece smOte his
ear. Albert opened the door, and stood on
the landing before the mistress and her
hapless dependant.
What is all this, You shameless, wicked
creature?' Miss Isidora cried. Il am come
home TO witness pretty doingsi"
Pardon me, Miss lsidora, but 1t is all
my fault l felt i'll, and my room being too
cold to sit in, Franz offered to lgh; me a
fire in it."
Why was the girl not at chapel?" the
lady demanded, casting q suspicious glance
at poor Franz. Does it look proper for
her to remain secretly at home, think your"
she added, her anger rising az every word
she spoke
Not a syllable against my sister, Or"
Sister" interrupted Mss Isidora, scorn-
fully. Have matters gone 80 far as that?
will not allow her to remain q minute
longer in the housed"
Here the speaker made step toward her
victim. and Franz uttered a scream. But
Albert caught lsidora's arm ere it fell upon
the girl, and drew her. struggling, away In
/ that struggle she slid from him and fell
heavily TO the floor, where she lay with the
blood flowing from a wound in her temple
Albert stood Ike one who had suddenly
/ lost his wits. At his feet knelt poor Franzi,
weeping and wringing her hands.
At this juncture the vicar appeared, and
behind him could be seen the red head of
the village schoolmnster
Young man, said the former, severely,
do you know what you have done? Blood
has been split by you! l suspend You.
You are unworthy OF your holy calling To
morrow you leave the yicaraQe. l have
done with you, and shall only remember
you IN my prayers.
lTo BE CONTINUED